In Your Northwest Corner Vol. 1

Children get creative in the KidsPlay Children's Museum diner

Opportunities to Learn Through Play and Exploration

KidsPlay Children’s Museum in Torrington provides children with an environment that fosters imagination and creativity through interactive exhibits and play. More than 45,000 children and their family members visit the 11,000 square foot museum each year to explore interactive hands-on play areas, including a diner, a fire truck, a maker space area, and a literacy treehouse.

A recent grant from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Jim and Nancy Garfield Fund for the Arts provided flexible support for the organization and its mission.
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​A grant from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Nolin Selby Fund supported the creation of new programming that enhances diversity, equity and inclusion and improves accessibility. A grant from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Miriam Mason Cable Trust Fund supported repairs to the net slide and the addition of STEM concepts and visual arts in the literacy treehouse.

"Your support increases the resilience of KidsPlay which strengthens our role as an enriching destination, educational laboratory, community resource, advocate for children, and economic contributor. Thank you so much," said Eileen Marriott of KidsPlay Children's Museum.

Support for Vulnerable Community Members

In the late Fall, the Northwest CT Community Foundation awards grants to nonprofits serving some of the area's most economically distressed residents and providing for basic necessities—food, warmth, clothing, shelter, and transportation.

In 2022, the Northwest CT Community Foundation: Draper Foundation Fund, Marion Wm. and Alice Edwards Fund, Karen M. O'Connor Fund and Douglas and Janet Roberts Fund awarded 36 local nonprofits critical needs grants totaling $64,100, including: Caring for Bethlehem, Cornwall Social Services, FISH of Northwestern CT, Friendly Hands Food Bank, Hands of Grace, and Susan B. Anthony Project.

"These grants matter to the individuals and families that seek emergency and on-going services," said Jean S. Fusco of Susan B. Anthony Project.

"These services save lives, and on-going support allows us to help survivors live safer lives."

November 29th is Giving Tuesday

#Giving Tuesday is a global day of local giving, held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Just as Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday kick off the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday kicks off the season of giving, inspiring people to collaborate to improve their local communities and give back in impactful ways to charities and causes they support.

This year, celebrate by supporting local nonprofits. Make a gift to a Northwest CT Community Foundation Fund. There are more than 280 funds at the community foundation supporting local charitable goals.

Give to the Northwest CT Community Foundation Community Leadership Fund, which support arts and culture, healthcare, education, human services, animal care, and land conservation. The collective charitable gifts to the Community Leadership Fund are vital to support the work of the Community Foundation.

Give to the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women and Girls Fund, which supports programs and services that help women and girls develop economic self-sufficiency by means of education, financial literacy, and social services.

Support local nonprofits through their agency funds. Nonprofits establish agency funds with the Community Foundation to support and further their missions, which range from arts and culture, animal care and rescue, land conservation, and basic needs.